In 2013, an arrest warrant was issued for Sroubek for outstanding criminal proceedings.

An Interpol listing says Sroubek was wanted in the Czech Republic for disorderly conduct, damaging of another's property and attack of a law enforcement officer.

The Justice Ministry had at some point in the past been advised by New Zealand authorities that extradition proceedings could take several years. The ministry decided then to wait for his deportation.

The statement published on Watchdog said deportation was now no longer possible due to "the recent change of the circumstances" and it will launch an official extradition request.

The Ministry indicated to New Zealand authorities that it was "interested" in extradition in 2015, but on Thursday Justice Minister Andrew Little said he had not received an official request.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday she wants answers over how the choice to grant Sroubek residency was made.

She said three weeks is too long for an investigation into the decision.

"My expectation is that it is done very quickly, because from what I've seen this hasn't been good enough."

Ms Ardern said the minister could only work with the information given to him, and it seemed clear there had been some contradictory information provided.

Sroubek fled to New Zealand from the Czech Republic on a false passport in 2003, fleeing what he claimed were corrupt law enforcement officials, after allegedly witnessing a murder.

He became affiliated with Hell's Angels in New Zealand, and was imprisoned for importing drugs, among other charges. He was jailed in June 2016 for five years and nine months after a jury found him guilty of bringing Class-B MDMA powder into the country.

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway used his "absolute discretion" to cancel deportation liability and grant residency - but refused to explain his decision due to "privacy and legal reasons".

Mr Lees-Galloway announced he was reconsidering the decision during Question Time in Parliament on Wednesday.

Immigration NZ announced on Thursday it would investigate how Sroubek was granted residency.